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The Erie Canal’s Unique Geological History

April 27, 2020 News, Uncategorized Erie Canal, history, New York State history, Presentation

By Derrick Pratt, Erie Canal Museum Educator A look at the unique geology that helped and hindered construction of New York's Erie Canal The story of the Erie Canal begins quite some time ago. About 480 million years ago to be exact, when the Appalachian Mountain range began forming. Over the next 200 million Read More »

Western Terminus of the Erie Canal: Buffalo or Black Rock?

April 20, 2020 News, Uncategorized Buffalo, Erie Canal, Erie Canal history, feature story, history, New York State history

By Ashley Maready, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Erie Canal Museum At the time of the original Erie Canal’s construction, in the early 19th century, the big question to be answered was, “Where will the Canal connect to Lake Erie?” A fierce battle ensued, between the villages of Buffalo and Black Rock. The winner of Read More »

Aboard the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad

April 13, 2020 Community, News, Program, Uncategorized Erie Canal, history, New York State history, public program

By Jeff Ludwig Guest writer Jeff Ludwig wrote the following article about the historic Auburn and Syracuse Railroad, which began operating in 1839. In late morning on June 4th, 1839, New York Governor William Seward left his home in Auburn to board the 10.5 ton locomotive, the “Syracuse,” for the inaugural ride on the new steam-powered Read More »

The Divisive Ditch: Early Perceptions of the Erie Canal

Why Was the Erie Canal Constructed?

April 6, 2020 News, Uncategorized Erie Canal, history, Museum news, public program

The factors that led to the construction of the Erie Canal in Upstate New York. By Ashley Maready, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Erie Canal Museum The idea of a canal to unite the East coast with the interior of the United States was not a new one. Before the Revolutionary War, George Washington expressed Read More »